We all know that microphone and speaker are playing an important role in both capturing and sending your audio but they are also very different from each other even among those in the same price range. For those who are going to record theri drums, Audix D4 Vs D2 are two nice options to consider thanks to their reliability but, being a different model they may act differently as well and, do check what they can offer here so we can choose wisely.
In this article, we are going to give you information about:
- How do Dynamic and Condenser Microphone Work
- What are Audix D4 and D2
- What Audix D4 and D2 Look Like
- How are the Specification of Audix D4 and D2
- How are the Performance of Audix D4 and D2
- How to Place Audix D4 and D2
- Audix D4 Vs D2
Dynamic and Condenser Microphone
Microphone is a very basic audio equipment and we are sure everyone has used them at some point for various purposes such as doing presentations in front of the class or in company meetings. They are very useful because of the function to capture sound and send it somewhere whether it is a processing unit like a computer or an output like a speaker. Just like any equipment in the setup, they will play a huge role in your audio quality as different models may give different results as well.
Microphone is an inseparable tool since they are everywhere now, prominently in smart devices such as laptop or smartphones. Based on the mechanism itself, there are condenser and dynamic microphone but in general they are pretty much the same as well since both are transducers which works in an opposite way as speakers. The difference however, results in different characteristics of the microphone so it is good to at least know how to set them apart from each other.
- Dynamic Microphone
Starting with the most common and most affordable dynamic microphone. This is probably what you have been using when speaking or singing as it is mostly used in live settings. When you open the grill or cap of a dynamic microphone, there are several components inside; the top is called a diaphragm and below you can find coil being attached to the diaphragm then magnet which is permanently charged to create a magnetic field. When the sound wave hits diaphragm, it vibrates the voice coil within the magnet.
| Audix D4 | Audix D2 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 4 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches | 4 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 4.5 ounces | 4.5 ounces |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
It then converts the audio signals into electrical signals which are going to be interpreted by the audio interface or by the amplifier. From the outside a dynamic microphone is very basic however or just like any other common type we have seen numerous times and in general they are coming in this cylinder tube.
- Condenser Microphone
This type is also very similar in terms of mechanism and still has three main parts when you open the windscreen or cap. It has a diaphragm with a backplate behind it instead of coil and all of them are in a diaphragm case. This design is known as a capacitor or condenser which is why it is called a condenser. When the capsule or case that also holds every component is charged, it generates an electrical field and when the sound wave hits the diaphragm it moves close and further from the backplate, then creates an electrical signal.
This mechanism requires power to work which is why you can find that +48V in an interface and while electret which is using the same mechanism is said to be permanently charged, they still need a certain amount of power since the circuit inside does require an FET impedance matching to provide polarizing voltage.
- About Audix D4 and D2
At the end, the right microphone for the right application which is why the option will vary greatly among people and we are not even talking about directionality or the connectivity itself which narrow down your choices further. If you are here then it means this microphone is meant for music or capturing the sound of your instrument to be exact and for this application a dynamic type will be the most ideal as it can take more abuse and handle higher source as well.
For those who are looking for a microphone that can take their drum recording more reliably, Audix is one of the best options you may want to check out. It is well-known that drummers often damage their microphones so it is not surprising to see an emerging product in this specific market as the need arises so if you have similar experience we do think getting a model that is specifically created for the purpose will be great as chances are they will be more reliable too.
This brand also carries some models or several to be exact in which are pretty much similar to each other such as the Audix D4 and D2. Both of them are quite popular when people are asking which tom mics they should have go with as they are created just for the purpose and you may find them better than the more expensive or dynamic mics we previously used. Being close to each other it is quite difficult to choose which model we should go with.
In general Audix D4 and D2 are the same with slight differences here and there but the most prominent is probably what they are mainly intended for because the former is probably better for those that need something that can cover into the further lower end. But, in general they are ideal for your drums recording whether it is to mic kick drums, bass, toms, etc.
Audix D4 and D2 Design
Being close brothers also make these microphones to be identical to each other in terms of shape and built and as you can see from the sample picture above, they are about 100mm in length and 39mm in diameter while weight wise both are slightly above a hundred grams. The build quality is very robust however, since they are made from metal including the case and the grill but, you can easily tell them apart based on the model name printed on the tube and their windscreen.
If you check closely, behind the grille of Audix D4 there is a bright red windscreen that may not be very visible from afar but definitely noticeable in close proximity. In the box they do come with a small padded case which is very nice in quality and a small mounting or clip made from heavy-duty nylon to hold the unit. As for the connectivity they are claimed to have this switchcraft XLR. Read also: Blue Spark vs AT 2020.
Audix D4 and D2 Specification
Now let’s see what Audix D4 and D2 can offer and starting with the basic, both of them are dynamic microphone with supercardioid polar pattern which means they are very effective in ignoring the source coming from anywhere but the front of the microphone. Their frequency response is a bit different however as the D4 starts at 40Hz to 18kHz and the D2 is from 68Hz to 18kHz with sensitivity of 1.4mV and 1.2mV respectively. For the maximum SPL both of them should be able to handle a sound pressure level of ≥144 dB.
Audix D4 and D2 Performance
Moving further, in performance these microphones are good and better than the common regular dynamic types that we usually used for vocals probably since they are designed to handle the lower end better and in comparison, we do think the D4 is more ideal to cover the lower frequency range. Side by side you will hear similar quality from both of them when used to record the high toms but moving to floor toms the D2 is clearly lacking kick from the lower end.
The D4 is actually more similar to the D6 and they are also more ideal for the same application. In addition Audix D4 and D2 do have different frequency response curves that show the former to carry flat response on the lower region while on the higher range they are pretty much similar to each other. The D2 however will do well for small floor toms too and what it lacks is only the amount of low frequency itself.
Audix D4 and D2 Placement
The last part we want to talk about is their placement but in general you can adjust the placement based on what type of sound you want to capture. The general rule is putting Audix D4 and D2 about 1-2 inches above the head of the drum pointed towards the center while if you want more ring then pull the microphone back near the rim and 1-2 inches inside to achieve an opposite result. When you need more attack, the mic should be close to the head or further away to get more overtones and decay effect.
Audix D4 vs D2
These microphones are ideal for your drums and hand percussion as they are designed to capture the most of your instrument but they are not perfect as well since at the end we have to mix and match each to the microphone for best result. The difference between Audix D4 and D2 is mostly on the lower end because the D4 is created to capture more from the low frequency which makes the D2 sounds lacking in comparison for heavier sound yet, for the mid to high they seem to have the same curve.
Conclusion
All in all it is about the ideal product for the right application and while these are the same drums microphones, the D4 is more ideal for capturing heavier sound as its lower end is richer and present so do combine them in your setup; D2 for higher toms and D4 for floor toms.